Monday, January 19, 2009

Here I have a used (not abused) American made Mountainsmith Tour Pack waist pouch. I got it used (second hand) from an ebay guy a number of years ago. I paid very little for it using the ‘Buy It Now’ feature. But with shipping, I remembered I paid like RM100 for it. Yup…a little too expensive compare to the normal prices I could have paid through the local ‘baju bundle’ shops but finding one like this is really not easy. What’s more, during one of the trips to Chatuchak market in Bangkok, Thailand, I saw a similar item (different color) going for around RM220. So, I think I still got a good price for it.

Before we go any further, most important thing I need to mention is that this Mountainsmith Tour Pack waist pouch is an old model and probably made in Boulder, Colorado, USA. A similar model (not sure what model) can be found in some of the sporting shops in Singapore already. The newer models now are mostly made in either Taiwan or Korea (I think). Having their products made overseas does not necessarily mean that the quality has declined but perhaps having an item that is made in the country of it’s origin has an ‘authentic’ feel to it.

The Mountainsmith Tour Pack lumbar / waist pack

Mountainsmith is not big in Malaysia. This outdoor equipment brand is almost unknown here. It is however very popular in US but of recent years, I think their popularity has somehow declined. Like many other outdoor equipment brands, I personally think they have gone long too much with meeting the mass market’s demands, creating too many models that are more designer than functional.

Like many other products of American outdoor equipment brands, this lumbar pack comes with all the bells and whistles you can imagine. I got confused (still am to be honest) with all the straps, bungee and attachments on the pack. I just can’t figure out what they are used for (except for the side compression straps). The rest are mind boggling (is there such a word??).

The waist straps are not rocket science nor are they padded to the extreme. Just a simple double layer of what seems to be cordura material. The good thing though is that the waist straps can be packed away in a small Velcro pocket. To carry it then is just by using the sling straps.

The waist straps are simple, almost no padding at all

The waist straps on the Mountainsmith Tour Pack tucked away in the pocket behind

There are only two white tags I can find on this pack. The first one is sewn onto the waist strap. This tag has a Mountainsmith logo with the words ‘ U.S Patent No 5025965’. Well, at least its not ‘Patent Pending’ like most other products.

The white tag label on the waist strap

I have used this Tour Pack a couple of times. I honestly prefer to sling it around my shoulders rather than having it around my waist. I have packed it to the brim. Works find and the seams seems to be holding on well. But fully packed and weighing in a bit, the pack is not the most comfortable thing to have clinging around the waist. In terms of pockets, this pack offers 3 pockets. One on the front of the pack, and a small one whish is located inside the main pocket.

The small pocket inside the main pocket of the Tour Pack

The zippers used are from YKK. Big strong zippers and yellow colored pullers are attached to them for ease of use. I really do find them useful. And the colors help to identify where they are as well and this can be useful in the dark.

In terms of use, I would say that this Mountainsmith Tour Pack lumbar / waist pack is okay. Not extremely comfortable fully loaded but it can really take in a lot of gear. I have another lumbar pack from this same brand called the ‘Day Pack’ model. Its probably double the size of this pack.

I guess the availability of the pockets really helps in organizing my stuff. Then again, the more bells you have, the more places for it to go wrong. I can really use the pack to be simpler, less straps. The straps confuses me and God know what they are for. Love the ‘pack away’ waist straps though 

If someone wants to buy this pack, chances are I will sell it off. For a reasonable prices that is. I hardly use it and it sits in the store room with the rest of the packs most of the time. For short trips, I still prefer to just use a small daypack.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

I found this old, used and obviously abused 22 litre daypack by The North Face in the pile of used items I have been keeping all this while. This daypack was in the same hidden and forgotten pile of used items where I found the old (probably) vintage Lowe Alpine (will post this later)

This TNF 22L daypack has certainly seen better days. It’s used, abused to the extent of needing stitches and patches to be useable again. Anyway, at one time in the baju bundle or used clothing craze in Malaysia, enthusiasts would just grab any TNF item that falls out of the used clothing bale. It’s like the item to have. So, not wanting to miss any part of the action, I too had my own collection of TNF items. From daypacks to shirts and shorts, I had to have some pieces too!

I probably got this item from Thailand. If not mistaken, from the town of Aran at the border of Thailand-Cambodia. I did a trip there with Meun (now my wife!) and she insisted that we go there. It was her ‘surprise’ for me that trip. What a surprise it was. The place was baju bundle heaven!

Anyway, with its condition, I don’t remember paying much for it. Probably around RM20. At that time, it is really hard top come by a TNF item, more so a pack. Despite the damages and abuse, I felt that it can be repaired. Some needle work and a bit of washing should get the pack back in shape.

One main compartment, drawstrings on the outside. I found a small pocket on the inside (top) which turns out to be the pouch that holds the pack together when packed in. See picture below.

The harness for this pack is…simple. Very thin padded shoulder straps with no funky back system. They can’t have any padded or frames since the model is the pack able type. There is a small rip right where the shoulder straps joins the main pack. I can get that sewn back easy.

This pack is old. More than that, it’s abused but not beyond repair. I would call it the old, used, abused but loved The North Face pack able 22L daypack. I bought it from a kedai bundle (used clothing store) and that is what makes it even more special!

If you are into The North Face brand, click on the following to see more of the items that I have.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Yeeeehaaaaaa…I never thought I’d find this hysteric Glamour Kinky Click shorts in a bundle shop. Was out to Kuala Selangor recently with a friend and we stopped at a bundle shop there. After going through all the men’s stuff, I came out empty handed…disappointed. Then I thought, what they heck, lets look through the ladies stuff. Maybe I can get something for me missus.

And I found it. This is a really nice pair of Hysteric Glamour (HG) shorts still in very good condition. Its definitely used but not abused. A quick check and I was walking out of the bundle shop a happy man.

This pair of HG shorts is really chick. Very petite, it IS a Japanese brand after all!. For all I can remember, this is the first piece of HG clothing I have ever purchased. And I am sure I paid just peanuts compared to what it’s retail price would have been in Japan.

This pants is button fly with a ‘tie-in’ string at the top. Two rear pockets, both zippered.

There is also a side pouch pocket on the right hand side of the shorts.

The right side pocket

A rather ingenious way to put functionality in the string to snap open the button

Now…the part I like best. The tags. Check out the heart shaped Hysteric badge sewn into the pants of the left side. Isn’t it nice? I think its really chick.

VERY nice!

Then of course there’s the inside tags. The small tag where most tags are located springs a surprise to me when I turn it over.

The inside tag is beautifully chick

Then there is the white tag as well. I don’t read nor write Japanese but I believe it is ‘free size’. How can this be free size? It is sooooo tiny.

I washed it and presented it to my lady for a try. It fits her all too well and true enough, this Hysteric Glamour Kinky Click really turn things on. Its cute, chick, sexy and the rest is history….

Thursday, December 25, 2008

I have began to replace most of my shirts with these Uniqlo Quick dry shirts. I first discovered this shirt in Langkawi when I was working there. I bought a piece for RM10 at a shop (kedai) bundle in Kuah town. I have officially fallen in love with them ever since.

The Uniqlo brand is a popular and affordable clothing manufacturer from Japan. I am not sure if the manufacturer them clothing in Japan (I doubt so) but the colors, designs and material are all very up to date. One can find Uniqlo products including jeans, shirts, jackets and some hankie as well.

Catering to the Japanese market, it is only natural that their sizes are a bit tad smaller compared to the usual baju bundle, especially those from the US. I can fit a L nicely but with any brands from Japan, it has to be anything bigger than XL.

Thank God these quick dry shirts are rather stretchable. I like them cause they don’t absorb sweat all too much and they also do not retain them. The tiny holes that makes up the fabric allows for air to flow in between, especially helpful in Malaysia’s hot and humid climate.

Uniqlo not only produces a lot of clothing but they also come up with all sorts of different ‘presentations’ for their products. These quick dry shirts for example, some in many designs. I have at least 5 different designs but each of them have a different ‘presentation’ in terms of label or tag used. The picture below shows the labels on 3 different types of quick dry shirts from Uniqlo.

All of the above are from uniqlo. Notice that the tags does not indicate that at all. The middle shirt’s tag is a typical tag for shirts from this Uniqlo brand. One can find it not only on quick dries but also on cotton shirts and round neck.The bottom ‘body tech’ shirt is one of the most current I think. They are made to look very trendy and ‘hi-tech’.The top shirt has no labels or tags. The shirt’s size etc is printed, most probably through heat transfer onto the shirt. The printings have mostly peeled off though. But this particular shirt has a small loop stitched to it. I have not a clue what it is for but a friend said it would probably be used for hanging the shirt up.

I paid anything around RM5 to RM10 for one of these shirts. They can be found at most bundle shops.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Ha...ha...ha...I found yet another pair of The North Face short pants. This one I think has got to be one of the oldest I have ever seen. I was in Kulim a few weeks back and saw this kedai bundle. Waaa...cannot tahan. Just had to make a quick detour. My mom, aunt and wife would have to bear with me while I browse through the racks.

An old TNF short pants

This pair of TNF shorts but have been hanging at the end of the rack like forever. The color has faded, there are small brown spots growing all over. I thought for a second, did some haggling and walked away with the TNF short pants for RM3. Bargain eh? The only problem is that I can't wear it!

Anyway...I am happy coz this item is sooo opposite to the TNF Rocksolid I posted earlier. This pair of TNF shorts doesn't come with many of the 'blings' of current models. Even the inside tag looks...'ancient'.

Old tag for an old pants. No fancy labels inside. Made in Bangladesh

Though it has a built-in 'belt', its a thread through. And note that there are no special TNF label on this threaded 'belt'.

About Me

I live and work in Kuala Lumpur with my lovely wife and furry Sox. I love to get out into the bush to hike, camp, fish and occasionally do some trapping. My hobby includes fiddling with outdoor gear, photography and scavenging through ‘baju bundle’ (used clothing). I am getting into the art of bushcraft and blogging.
You can reach me at my email: ‘bandel4’ account is with yahoo.com.sg